Dave Portnoy talks WNBA’s probe into alleged hateful comments to Angel Reese

Dave Portnoy, founder of Barstool Sports, has pushed back allegations that “snarky comments” have been reportedly made. Angel Wreath During a Chicago Sky match against Indiana Fever.

WNBA The investigation began on Sunday. The statement was said to have been made towards the second-year Skystar during Saturday’s game, according to the Associated Press. The league said it “strongly condemns racism, hatred and discrimination in all forms.”

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Chicago Sky Forward Angel Lease #5 is about to film a basket on Saturday, May 17, 2025 during a game between Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis on May 17, 2025. (Grace Smith Indystar via imaging images)

No details were presented, and Portnoy questioned whether the comments had occurred and speculated that the internet trolls could be behind it. Portnoy attended the match at Gainbridge Field House, sitting courtside in a Kate Rinkler jersey.

Portnoy said in a video posted to his X account that the only “hate” he saw came against Clark after the Fever star hit Lease with a hard foul in the third quarter. Reese informed Clark by highlighting that she didn’t like it. Clark was given a terrible foul, but he said behind it that “no malicious intent.”

“Listen, I was in the game. If there were racists or people saying, it obviously launches. “If that’s the case, I’d be incredibly unbelievable…. A crowd of fever games? Little girls, family, women, lovely crowds. We weren’t angered when Angel Reese attacked Kaeltin Clark for no reason? Yeah.

“The WNBA, and now the Indiana Fever, saw no one in the stadium what no one saw, so there’s no ounce of evidence to issue a statement saying, ‘We’re investigating’. There are no camera phones. By admitting that “we do not tolerate hatred,” you lend this credibility by not seeing this as a rumor on the internet, founded from a complete bull. ”

During the match between Indiana Fever and Chicago Sky at Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis on May 17, 2025, we look up at the scoreboard on Saturday, May 17, 2025 and Saturday, May 17, 2025. (Grace Smith Indystar via imaging images)

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Portnoy added that the crowd is good and that Reese “deserves” to be at least booed, but there was a message to the WNBA.

“Angel Reese deserved to have her when she attacked Caitlyn with a regular foul,” he said. “Otherwise, what are you talking about? The WNBA talks about killing Golden Gooses. You guys are lucky enough to have Kate Linklark. You have a lucky Indiana fever. It makes the league relevant.

“And by the way, if you find an Iota to make that statement, or if there’s one person doing something, you eat the word. You’re in that crowd, looking at the crowd, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, zero, there’s the truth in this. There was no hatred.

Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) A statement has been issued Also about the problem.

“The WNBPA is aware of reports of hateful comments from yesterday’s game in Indianapolis and supports the WNBA’s current investigation into the issue. Such actions are not acceptable in our sport,” the statement said. “Under the WNBA’s ‘space for hatred’, we trust that the league will thoroughly investigate and take appropriate action to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone. ”

Indiana Fever Guard Kate Rinklerk #22, and Chicago Sky Forward Angel Rees #5, shake hands before a match at Gainbridge Field House in Indianapolis on May 17, 2025. (Trevor Ruszkowski-Immagn image)

Fever acknowledged that investigations were taking place, as was the case with the sky.

“We are encouraging the league to do everything to protect Chicago Sky Players and take meaningful steps to create a safe environment for all WNBA players,” said Sky CEO Adam Fox.

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Sky and Heat have four more matches at the docket this season.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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